«Turetsky Choir» — a unique Russian vocal and musical ensemble founded in the late 1980s that has become one of the most famous vocal projects in Russia. The ensemble is led by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Mikhail Turetsky.
The group combines elements of classical, sacred, world, ethnic and pop music, creating a high-level multi-voice show.
Formation of the ensemble (1989)
The story begins in 1989, when graduate of the Gnessin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute Mikhail Turetsky was commissioned to create a professional male choir based at the Moscow Choral Synagogue. The task was to revive and develop European sacred music in the USSR — a tradition that had been almost completely lost in the Soviet era.
The first lineup was formed from:
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graduates and students of leading music schools in Moscow,
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professional vocalists with classical training,
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performers interested in sacred, choral and chamber music.
All members had solid vocal schooling, which allowed the ensemble to set a high performance standard from the very beginning.
First rehearsals and debut concerts (1989–1990)
Rehearsals started that same year, 1989. Despite the lack of proper facilities, the ensemble showed exceptional discipline, rehearsing in any available space.
Their first public performance took place in 1990 — a short concert that became the starting point of their future touring activity.
Immediately after their debut, the choir began touring:
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first across Soviet cities — Kaliningrad, Tallinn;
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then expanding its geography and receiving the first major invitations abroad.
First international tours: Europe and Israel
In the early 1990s the ensemble went on tour to France and the United Kingdom. At that time, the choir performed under the name «Jewish Chamber Choir», which emphasized its repertoire and cultural identity.
The reaction of European audiences was unexpectedly warm:
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within 15 days they played 17 concert programs;
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the press highlighted the uniqueness of a Russian ensemble performing sacred music that was little known in the USSR;
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the performances sparked interest both in their musical level and in the very phenomenon of cultural revival.
After the European tour, the choir went to Israel, where audiences also highly appreciated the quality of their sound. It was there that it became clear the choir possessed an outstanding vocal school but a limited repertoire — this fact later pushed Turetsky to significantly expand the musical program.
First sponsors and rising popularity
A turning point came by chance: the choir rehearsed literally wherever they could find space — including train stations and airports. During one of these rehearsals, at Shannon Airport (County Dublin, Ireland), their performance was heard by the president of the travel company People Travel Club. Impressed by their manner of performance, she offered the ensemble their first serious support.
This support made it possible to:
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begin organized international tours,
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improve rehearsal conditions,
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expand the repertoire,
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introduce the ensemble to a much wider audience.
Evolution of the ensemble and expansion of genres
Over time, the «Jewish Chamber Choir» evolved into a versatile vocal ensemble performing:
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European sacred music,
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classical repertoire,
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folk and ethnic pieces,
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popular hits of the 20th–21st centuries,
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contemporary pop music,
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world opera arias,
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works in different languages.
This freedom of genre and virtuosic multi-octave delivery became the hallmark of what would later be known as the «Turetsky Choir».
By the mid-1990s the ensemble had fully established itself as a professional vocal group of international level.
Status and international recognition
Today, the «Turetsky Choir» is one of the most renowned Russian vocal ensembles representing contemporary authorial choral art on the world stage.
The ensemble:
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gives major concerts around the globe,
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fills stadiums and concert halls,
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performs at state and official events,
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collaborates with leading orchestras and musicians,
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takes part in large-scale charity projects.
The group has become a symbol of high vocal artistry and culture, and its unique format — a blend of classical vocal technique and show elements — sets it apart from all other choral ensembles in Russia.
Today the «Turetsky Choir» is not just a musical group, but an independent cultural phenomenon that combines virtuoso vocals, a strong directorial concept and genre diversity. The ensemble remains a benchmark of musical excellence, promotes the art of multi-voice singing and continues to push the boundaries of choral culture, performing on the world’s most prestigious stages. Thanks to the talent of Mikhail Turetsky and a unique team of professionals, the choir has been and remains one of the brightest musical projects in Russia and Europe.
